"Poco Poco has Christian influence "

The happy social activity Poco Poco(a form of a line dancing ) is now being scrutinized in Malaysia. Muslims are  already banned from doing poco poco in Perak. I wonder how many states will in the future ban this happy party and open field activity.

Poco poco is often an activity at the end of the political and social parties in Sarawak and Sabah in particular. Politicians who have sponsored social functions enjoy mingling with the people by taking part in the post programme poco poco dance before every one goes his separate ways.

I have enjoyed doing the poco poco at weddings (whether they are held in hotels or in the longhouse). People of all ages enjoy doing the poco poco.

I have collected some lovely youtubes for you. Usually dance performed with good intentions is  recreational and artistic.  It is healthy and wholesome. But again and again dance as an art form can be interpreted in so many ways.

It is a pity that poco poco may no longer be publicly performed in Malaysia  the future because it is frowned upon by Muslims.

this is the original song which made poco poco so popular in the last twenty years!!

Malaysian news:

6:51PM BST 01 Apr 2011

Harussani Zakaria, mufti of the northern state of Perak, said the dance violated Islamic law.

"The poco-poco dance is actually a cult dance," he said. "Our research indicates that the dance really originates from Jamaica and there are many Christian rituals to it as the moves reflect the making of a cross and so is unacceptable in Islam," he added.

"The dance is also practised in the Philippines and parts of Indonesia which have a Christian majority and so the dances have many Christian influences, which clash with Islam," he said

In Malaysia, many adults practise the dance, which is considered a recreational activity to keep fit.

The origin of the "poco-poco" dance is believed to have originated in Indonesia more than 20 years ago to accompany a song of the same name.

More Poco Poco youtubes....Enjoy!!

Would Kung Fu also be placed under some form of scrutiny In Malaysia? Since it has its origin in Indian and Chinese Buddhism

Shaolin is not only the birthplace of kung fu it also a place of importance in the history of religion in China. In A.D. 527, an Indian monk named Bodhhidarma founded the precursor of Zen Buddhism after spending nine years staring at a wall and achieved enlightenment. He also is credited with creating the basic movement of Shaolin kung fu by imitating the movements of animals and birds.

 How did kung fu evolve and how did a supposedly peace-loving Buddhist sect became involved with the martial arts? Scholars speculate that monks learned to defend themselves at time when banditry was rampant and there was a lot of fighting between local warlords. The origins of kung fu are somewhat murky. There are accounts in ancient texts of monks performing feats of physical skill and strength such as two-finger handstands.........

Personally I feel that the poco poco has united many people in a simple (even homebased) social activity involving men and women and even children from all walks of life and regardless of race and religion!! So I am wondering if in the future when we include poco poco in our programmes our Muslim friends will not attend the parties?